Nairobi: A diplomacy and international relations expert, Philemon Samoei, has urged leaders not to politicize President William Ruto’s directive on documentation of foreign nationals engaging in business activities illegally in Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the directive should be viewed in terms of enforcing Kenya’s laws and safeguarding opportunities for legitimate local enterprises, instead of being seen as targeting citizens from specific countries. Philemon emphasized that misinterpreting the President’s directive could potentially spark unnecessary diplomatic tensions between Kenya and its neighboring countries.
He further urged political leaders to exercise caution in their public statements, noting that Kenya maintains important economic and diplomatic relations with its neighbors, and careless talk could be detrimental to these relations. Philemon explained that the government should clearly communicate the scope of the directive and ensure that enforcement agencies apply the law fairly, regardless of the nationality of those involved.
To avoid sparking unnecessary tension, the expert argued that the crackdown on illegal business dealings should not be mixed with regional diplomacy. He stressed the need for a balanced approach that respects international relations while upholding the integrity of Kenya’s economic laws.
